Searching for Anna, Jenifer Carll-Tong [cheapest way to read ebooks TXT] 📗
- Author: Jenifer Carll-Tong
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With tears streaming down her face, she said, "William Harrison Caffey, it is I who is completed by you. You were always, and will always be, God's best for me. Yes, I will marry you."
Will placed his mother's ring on her finger, stood, and wrapped her in his arms again, and this time, neither of them cared who saw as he gave her the kiss that had always belonged to her.
- THE END -
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CHAPTER ONE
Of all the situations Sarah had gotten herself into in her life, this could possibly be the worst one yet. But could she really be to blame? It wasn't her idea to pack her up and ship her off to Bible College. It was her parents' idea, and it had been a terrible one at that. How could they expect her to breathe in such a suffocating confinement masquerading as an educational institution. It was insufferable and she could no longer bear it. So yes, she was about to do something terrible, something that would likely humiliate her parents and bring her father's wrath upon her in a way far greater than she had ever experienced, but her mother and father only had themselves to blame. It was, after all, their fault that she was in this situation in the first place.
Vindication did little to calm Sarah's queasy stomach. She was confident this was the only way out of her situation, but the longer she waited, the less confident she became. She pressed her back against the wall and melted into the darkness of the hallway. They should have been here by now. She knew the letters had been delivered. Why hadn't they acted on them yet?
Maybe she was being overly foolish. She who hurries her footsteps errs. Sarah sighed. Now she was beginning to think like her mother.
Her mother. Would she ever be able to forgive Sarah? Doubt began to creep into Sarah's bones, inching its way up her spine, and for the first time since conceiving the idea, Sarah wondered if maybe it wasn't such a great one. Footsteps sounding down the distant hall ended her doubts, however. They were coming. Time to finish what she had set into motion.
She carefully turned the handle of the door and quickly slipped into the classroom. A man sat bent over a desk, completely oblivious to her presence. She peered over her shoulder, very much aware of the presences approaching the room.
Sarah cleared her throat. "Professor Foley?"
The man jumped. "Miss Albright! You startled me."
"I – I'm so sorry," she said, lowering her head. "I didn't mean to..." her voice cracked as tears began flowing down her cheeks.
Professor Foley rushed from his seat and crossed the room. "Miss Albright? What is the matter?"
Sarah shook her head, allowing the tears to fall freely. The professor pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to her. She wiped her cheeks, but kept her head bowed.
He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Chin up. Whatever it is, I'll do my best to help," the man said kindly.
She looked up then and nodded. "Yes. I'm certain that you can." Immediately, Sarah threw her body against his, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
CHAPTER TWO
Grant Foley paced back and forth outside the office of his administrator, the dean of students. He was waiting for his turn, whatever that meant. He paused and stared at the paneled wood door, wishing he knew what was being said on the other side, yet not wanting to know at the same time.
How could he have gotten caught in such a compromising situation? He had always been so careful not to let any hint of impropriety enter into his relationships with his students. He kept his distance, remaining aloof and detached, often erring on the side of being rude to the women in his classes. He never dreamed any of the young women he taught would find him the least bit desirable, let alone throw themselves at him.
That poor girl. He had heard of young women developing crushes on their professors. He had read about it in an academic journal, but had laughed it off. Grant had never been one to turn many women's heads in the past, so he hadn't worried about it happening to him. There had been only one woman who had ever noticed him, and that had ended with Grant's heart torn in two.
But apparently this student-love complex was a real thing, and the poor Albright girl had somehow found herself wrapped up in some sort of fantasy involving him. He felt for her, really he did. He just hoped that the dean was kind to her. She had acted impulsively, of course, but she was young and probably didn't realize the consequences of her actions.
Did you consider the consequences of your actions?
Grant stuffed his hands in his pockets and began pacing again. He was caught off guard, of course. Any man would have reacted similarly in his situation. Wouldn't he?
Grant shook his head and continued pacing. What man wouldn't lose himself in a kiss to a beautiful woman? That's all it was, a temporary loss of reason. He had been caught off guard, that's all. Otherwise he would have pushed her away the second her lips touched his. Naturally, he had done nothing wrong.
But if that were true, why did he feel like he had something to apologize for?
The door opened suddenly, light flooding the dimly lit corridor of Grant's pacing.
"Professor Foley," the dean said solemnly. "Would you please join us?"
Miss Albright sat in a leather chair across from the dean's desk. The dean motioned for Grant to take the seat next to her.
Dean Baker sat down at his desk. "I have spoken at length with Miss Albright about her actions and the road that a life of sin can lead a person down."
Just as he thought. The man was shaming the girl. "Sir, I don't think Miss Albright had any malicious intent – "
"Malicious or not, there are consequences. We all must answer for our sins."
Grant nodded. "And Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could be washed clean of our transgressions."
The dean drummed his fingers on the leather blotter. "Of course. We will someday reap the rewards in heaven."
Grant couldn't help but notice that the sour expression on the man's face did not match the joy of the words he spoke.
"But," Dean Baker said. "On this side of paradise, there are consequences."
Grant didn't like where the conversation was headed. "Consequences? Surely, you aren't considering expelling the girl?"
His eyebrows shot up. "Do you think sin should go unpunished, Mr. Foley?"
"Of course not – "
"Good. I'm glad we understand each other." The dean stood. "Miss Albright, I will contact your parents immediately, but until such time as they can retrieve you from this institution, I expect you to remain in your room, and you will tell no one of what has transpired here this evening, do I make myself clear?"
Grant turned to look at the girl, expecting some sort of teary outburst. But she only nodded, a slight twitching playing at the corners of her mouth.
He turned back to the dean. "Don't you think that is harsh for – "
"And I expect you to be gone by morning, Mr. Foley."
Grant stopped breathing. "Excuse me?"
"If you leave discreetly, the college will let this scandal die quietly. However, there will, of course, be no letter of recommendation."
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